It's the feast of the Sacred Heart. In fact the entire month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. It’s that important - because it is one of the most powerful devotions.
In the ancient temple, there was one gate that was to be perpetually sealed shut - known to the people of Israel as the Mercy Gate. It was prophesied by the Prophet Ezekiel that the Messiah would enter through the Mercy Gate and it would remain closed until the messianic age.
Before his crucifixion, Jesus spoke clearly about the new temple in the Messianic age, "Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19). We know of course that Jesus was referring to himself and his mystical body - the Church. John the Apostle confirms this saying just a few sentences later, "he spoke of the temple of his body."
So, if Jesus is the new temple, where is the Mercy Gate?
On mount calvary, when the spear pierced the side of Jesus, the temple of his body was opened to us. The centurion's spear carved its way into the inner sanctuary - the very heart of God. His saving blood and living water poured out for each of us, preparing us to enter the holiest of holies. The entrance into the New Jerusalem - the Mercy Gate - is this wound. And, it’s open for you.
The image of the Sacred Heart gives us further proof that the Heart of Jesus is the inner-sanctuary of the New Jerusalem. In 2nd Chronicles, we read about the dedication of the Temple of Solomon. "When Solomon had ended his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple" (2nd Chronicles 7:1). This fire symbolized the divine presence in the Holiest of Holies - a place so pure only the high priest could enter. In the book of Leviticus, Moses exhorts the priests, "The fire on the altar shall be kept burning, it shall not go out; the priest shall burn wood on it every morning..." (Leviticus 6:12). The fire we see on the Sacred Heart is this holy fire. It symbolizes the presence of God and the perpetual offering of Christ's passion in Heaven. The heart of Jesus is the holiest of holies in the new temple.
In the 1670's, Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, asking that people devote themselves to his Sacred Heart which is burning for us. In the 1930's Jesus appeared to St. Faustina Kowalska sharing with her an image of rays of light colored like blood and water emanating from his heart. He told her that he wanted the world to trust in his Divine Mercy. Exhorting us to repeat the words, "Jesus, I trust in you." These two devotions can't be separated. The gate of mercy is the entrance into the sacred heart!
Today, Jesus opens the gate of his mercy to everyone. He sustains us with his blood, purifies us with living water, and he invites us to come make our offerings on the fire of his Most Sacred Heart. All we have to do is trust in his mercy.
While there are many wonderful Catholic devotions for us to seek the assistance of the saints and holy ones in Heaven, the Sacred Heart is the symbol of the pierced heart of our Lord and he’s inviting each of us to enter - to dwell in his very being. When you entrust yourself to the Sacred Heart, there is no storm or trial that Jesus won’t take care of.
Just state with confidence, "Jesus I trust in you!"